IntoAction Gibika Securing livelihoods against climate change 8
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
June 2020 IntoAction 8 Gibika Securing livelihoods against climate change Edited by Christian Barthelt and Thomas Loster
IntoAction 8 / Gibika IntoAction 8 / Gibika 3
Overview – Gibika
Securing livelihoods against 3
Contents
Editorial – Safeguarding livelihoods and
Editorial – Safeguarding income quickly decreases. Young
people are then often pushed to move
to the cities in order to find other
climate change
All key drivers of risk are present in 4
protecting life in Bangladesh
Bangladesh – Risks are ubiquitous
livelihoods and protecting sources of income. Population shifts
from these areas lead to a scarcity
Bangladesh: natural hazards, rapid
urbanisation, demographic changes and
6 Gibika research begins – life in Bangladesh of valuable agricultural workers. As
a result, the community gradually
Understanding livelihood risks in
becomes even more vulnerable.
poverty in many regions of the country. diverse regions of Bangladesh
With Gibika the project partners aim to 8 Research outcomes – People at risk and
Gibika wishes to explore and,
increase resilience of people affected by if possible strengthen, the ability
their decision-making
disasters and climate change and to secure to vary livelihood opportunities.
10 Into action – Working on the At the same time, local communities,
livelihoods also during crisis.
cyclone and flood warning system in together with the project partners,
Project management Gibika: Dalbanga South should develop tools to improve their
reaction and response to shocks.
Munich Re Foundation 14 Interview – When the warning flags are
raised, we dig a deep hole Munich Re Foundation supported
Christian Barthelt, Thomas Loster Resilience describes the ability of Gibika is the Bengali word for subsist- the project financially, while also
16 Reflections – Climate change is forcing people or communities to better cope ence or livelihood. One focus of our
UNU-EHS us to work together
giving advice and sharing its networks.
Sonja Ayeb-Karlsson, with shocks such as natural disasters, work is the strengthening of gibika However, the biggest parts of the
18 Project partners environmental or system changes. in Bangladesh. This means providing projects were organised by our friends
Kees van der Geest, David Wrathall
The overall objective is to minimise opportunities for people in at-risk and colleagues from UNU-EHS and
ICCCAD losses and damage. Ideally, having communities to develop their own ICCCAD. We thank them from the
Sarder Shafiqul Alam, Istiakh Ahmed, overcome a shock or stress situation, ideas, strategies and a secure income bottom of our hearts for an extremely
individuals and communities emerge through their own efforts. This can be fruitful and beneficial five-year
Tanzinia Khanom, Mahmud Ali,
with renewed strength and fresh very difficult, particularly in very poor partnership. We are convinced that
Md. Nadiruzzaman (on behalf of many knowledge. and mostly remote communities. Gibika will make a difference for and
more contributors and team members) Employment opportunities are often in Bangladesh, even after the end
Cyclone Amphan, which hit India and
limited, and external shocks can easily of our funding period.
During monsoon flooding is part Bangladesh on 20 May 2020, once
result in severe damage to the already
of everyday life in many parts again demonstrated the importance
fragile infrastructure. For example,
of Bangladesh. This boy on his of resilience. It was only thanks to the
regular way to school has to
large portions of the rural population We wish you an interesting read.
prevention measures in India and
cross 800 meters in deep water. are dependent on agriculture.
Bangladesh that the death toll could
be kept low. Fortunately, our project Droughts, floods, or the salinisation
area escaped without major damage, of soils can cause immense stress and
as wind speeds here no longer reached damage. They often have a two-fold
extreme values. impact on the affected communities:
crops fail, and the food supply for Christian Barthelt
families is endangered. Surpluses
can no longer be sold, and as a result,
Cover page:
Two boys sitting on a new dike
looking at their new family house
in Dalbanga South. Relocating
behind the dike is a good safety
strategy, however, building there
also means using agricultural
land for living.
IntoAction 8 / Gibika 4 IntoAction 8 / Gibika 5
Bangladesh –
Risks are ubiquitous
378
reported natural disasters
4
major cyclones hit
from 1980 to 2019 Bangladesh in the
project period
Bangladesh is a fascinating country.
Over 160 million people, more than
half of whom are not even 20 years old,
live in an area less than half the size
of a country like Germany. It is situated Brahmaputra
at the confluence of the Ganges,
Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers and Ganges
ranks 147th of 187 in the Human
Development Index, making it one Bangladesh
of the most vulnerable countries in the India
world. Climate change will most likely Dhaka
exacerbate the situation. Bangladesh India
will be one of the most heavily
hit countries.
It is not only one of the poorest coun- Khulna Three school girls stand in front
tries in the world, but its development Kolkata of a cyclone shelter in Dalbanga
also regularly experiences setbacks South. In normal times the
Chittagong building is used as a regular
due to weather disasters. Scientists
school building.
are predicting an increase in risks, one
reason more for Munich Re Foundation
to invest in a new resilience project
for communities at risk. The project Bay of Bengal
was started jointly with UNU-EHS 50 km
and ICCCAD in 2013 after an analysis
of the current and probable future Climate change and risk flooding. However, when molten
situation. management in Bangladesh – snow and ice from the Himalayas
The launch of a new founda- coincides with heavy precipitation,
these precautionary measures are
tion project
21 18 3.2
not enough. A change in monsoon
Already today, floods, storms, surges patterns can already be observed
and droughts cause repeated setbacks today. This often triggers heavy floods
to development in this predominantly and takes people by surprise before
cyclones from flashfloods from agricultural country. In autumn 2007, they are able to bring their assets milimeter rises the water
1980 to 2019 1980 to 2019 Cyclone Sidr left a trail of devastation to safety. Farmers lose their harvest. level in Bangladesh in
Cow peacefully grazing on a average per year
in its wake. Several thousand people
dike and a fisherman in the river. Rising sea levels pose a further
The picture on the right gives lost their lives, 775,000 houses were
threat to the south of the country.
an impression of the massive damaged, and large numbers of
The water level is rising on average
riverbed erosion in the area. livestock and poultry perished. During
by some 3.2 mm per year, quicker
the project period (2013 to 2018),
than the rate predicted by bodies such
Bangladesh had to face four major
as the International Panel on Climate
20%
cyclones: Mahasen (2013), Komen
Change (IPCC) in 2007. At that time,
(2015), Roanu (2016), and Mora (2017).
the forecasts already anticipated
Hundreds of people died, and over one
that Bangladesh might lose nearly
hundred thousand lost their homes.
20% of its land surface by 2050.
Even in relatively normal years, land surface might
This will force some 20 million
extensive areas of the country along be lost until 2050
Bangladeshis to become climate
the rivers are inundated, but the
migrants or even refugees.
inhabitants have learned to cope
Shortfalls in food production of
with the situation. Floods are part of
approximately 30% will pose a
life there. Flood shelters and elevated
huge challenge for the population.
buildings offer people a degree of
safety, even in cases of extreme
IntoAction 8 / Gibika 6 IntoAction 8 / Gibika 7
The first fieldwork phase of our Gibika project in Bangladesh took place Mazer Char, Dalbanga South and Focus on two project sites Bhola Slum: This site in Dhaka
from May to June 2014. Our research team stayed three days at each Gabtola in the south, and Singpur in has a greater capability to recover.
the central north of Bangladesh were Finally, the Gibika Steering Committee Nevertheless, many unsolved
of the seven previously selected study sites: Gabdola, Mazer Char, Singpur, chose two sites to advance the imple-
identified as the sites most at risk. problems such as floods and poor
Babupur, Jamalpur, Dalbanga South, and Bhola Slum in the capital Dhaka. All of them are threatened by extreme mentation phase of the Gibika project: sanitation in combination with
The map shows the locations of our sites. river erosion and loss of habitable overpopulation remain. The people
albanga South: This community
D
land. Therefore rapid action is needed. in south Bangladesh faces many need assistance. We saw financial
In addition, Babupur and Jamalpur different risks, including floods and risk transfer mechanisms as one good
in the far northwest have water and possibility to improve the situation,
Gibika research begins – Understanding
cyclones, but also long-term threats
drought problems due to their insuf- such as river bank erosion and since the community appeared to
ficient irrigation systems, but a number salinisation. Disaster risk manage- understand saving mechanisms and
livelihood risks in diverse regions of Bangladesh of NGOs are already working there.
The same situation applies to the
ment technologies such as early
warning systems can therefore be
emergency funds. Due to the deeply
entrenched clan structure, a strong
Bhola Slum in Dhaka. NGOs and dev- an important part of the solution. local partnership must be used to
elopment programmes are active, advance projects in this location.
because the situation is still precarious.
By selecting one urban and one rural
Without external support, people
site, the Gibika Steering Committee
continue to suffer.
was trying to cover a wide range
utra of different stressors and test and
map
Brah improve different coping strategies.
The aim of the intense fieldwork Risks increase people’s
was to acquire a good, qualitative vulnerability
understanding of people’s situations,
their life, work situations, livelihoods, To achieve this, the team conducted
and the forces that drive change in in-depth interviews based on individual
livelihoods. We needed to know more life histories that focused on changes
about environmental stress and shocks, in people’s livelihoods. For example,
or threats that undermine resilience one interviewee from the Bhola Slum
at the study sites. In addition, we in Dhaka explained: “Our houses were
studied current and past efforts to destroyed many times by big floods.
Babupur, Shapahar Upazila, Naugaon District Jamalpur, Shapahar Upazila, Naugaon District Singpur, Nikli Upazila, Kishoreganj District
improve living conditions, as well as We realised that it would be better
needs, opportunities and constraints to raise the house level by putting soil
at the study sites. Overall, the main beneath it. This helped to reduce our
focus was on two objectives: vulnerability to floods.” Nevertheless,
bigger floods, heat waves, overpop Ga
nge Bangladesh
1. Conducting research into resilience s
ulation and poor sanitation keep this
with respect to livelihoods, taking site highly vulnerable.
into account various regional risks
such as riverbank erosion, flooding In addition, the fieldwork team was
and drought able to understand the seasonal
Dhaka
patterns of livelihood activities, human
2. Motivating local communities to mobility, environmental stress and
participate in developing solutions food scarcity. With this background,
and proposals together with it compiled a list of perceptions about
the Gibika field team and project the positive and negative changes in
partners. the research area. It also established
More precisely, during the fieldwork another list with past and current
the research team was able to gain projects and interventions that aim to Gabtola, Sarankhola Upazila, Bagerhat District Bhola slum, Dhaka City
Khulna
Dalbanga South, Barguna Upazila, Barguna District
some insights into the spatial realities enhance resilience and improve living
of people’s vulnerability and into conditions. These interventions can
environmental and other events or be of a technical nature, such as
shocks that affect people’s livelihoods. building flood walls, dams and shelter
The team also obtained a general rooms, or longer-term approaches Chittagong
overview of events in the history and such as raising awareness and
development of their village that the building capacity within the local
inhabitants considered to be important. communities. This had the purpose
It was essential for the research team of avoiding redundant repetition
to understand how people at the study and understanding what community
sites perceive threats of different members appreciate.
types, and the differences between
households with various coping
strategies. Mazer Char, Mathbaria Upazila, Pirozpur District Bay of Bengal
IntoAction 8 / Gibika 8 IntoAction 8 / Gibika 9
Gibika was supervised by the research team for five years. After hundreds of Gender roles influence the Selection of publications
individual interviews, workshops, questionnaires, and focus group discussions response to disasters and the (The full list can be seen in the
a picture gradually emerged of how people react in risk situations. extent of climate vulnerability. “Gibika Final Project Report”):
When disaster strikes, not everyone
has the same opportunities to respond.
Research outcomes – People at risk
Ayeb-Karlsson, S. (2020).
What is considered acceptable social When the disaster strikes:
behaviour for a man may not be Gendered (im)mobility in Bangladesh.
and their decision-making suitable for a woman. (“Unmarried
women should not go to shelters;
Climate Risk Management.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crm.2020.100237
it only causes problems.”)
Ayeb-Karlsson, S. (2020).
“When we were children we had dreams,
The health effects of climate
then we came to Dhaka to survive”:
change and environmental Urban stories connecting loss of well-
shocks are poorly understood. being, displacement and (im)mobility.
The loss of their livelihoods can Climate and Development.
Decision-making processes are often cause people to suffer both physically https://doi.org/
not rational, but are influenced by and mentally. More research is 10.1080/17565529.2020.1777078
factors such as social environment, needed to understand more clearly Ayeb-Karlsson, S., Kniveton, D.,
self-confidence, experience and the psychological after-effects of and Cannon, T. (2020).
much more. This makes it difficult to disasters, such as post-traumatic Trapped in the prison of the mind:
find a simple strategy for better risk stress disorder or depression. Notions of climate-induced
prevention. Instead, the starting points (im)mobility decision-making and
must be context-specific and have The study has shown how people at wellbeing from an urban informal
to take local needs into account. risk make decisions. Unfortunately, settlement in Bangladesh.
Only through an interactive and par- they often do not have a particularly Palgrave Communications, 6(62), 1-15.
ticipatory process can disaster risk strong awareness of the benefits of https://doi.org/
management processes be efficiently disaster management (“Do I go to the 10.1057/s41599-020-0443-2
established in the communities. flood shelter, or am I better to stay at
home and secure my assets?”). As a Ayeb-Karlsson, S., Kniveton, D.,
The key messages of the final research result, the losses are even higher Cannon, T., van der Geest, K., Ahmed, I.,
report are: when a disaster hits, and the conse- Derrington, E. M., Florano, E.,
quences even more destructive. and Opondo, D. (2019).
Adaptation strategies can Changing this – not only in Bangla- I will not go, I cannot go: Cultural and
increase people’s susceptibility desh, but also in other countries social constraints to disaster prepared-
in other ways. particularly affected by climate change ness in Asia, Africa and Oceania.
and natural disasters – can only suc- Disasters, 43, 752-770.
As floods, hurricanes, riverbank https://doi.org/10.1111/disa.12404
ceed if the results of the study are also
erosion and droughts damage agri-
acknowledged by the policy makers. Ayeb-Karlsson, S. (2018).
cultural land and crops, the affected
people change their farming practices, When the disaster strikes:
seek new livelihoods or migrate. (im)mobility decision-making in
However, migration can lead to other the context of environmental
stress factors, such as danger to life shocks and climate change impacts.
and limb encountered in urban slums, (Doctoral thesis in Development Studies),
or hazardous work environments University of Sussex and Institute for
that put a great strain on the people Development Studies, Brighton.
working there. Bhokul (upper picture) lives in
https://doi.org/
Dalbanga South. In films which 10.13140/RG.2.2.28627.43040
Social and cultural boundaries were produced during the project,
Ayeb-Karlsson, S., van der Geest, K.,
led by Sonja Ayeb-Karlsson
need to be understood more (lower picture), Bhokul and others
Ahmed, I., Huq, S., and Warner, K. (2016).
clearly. describe how natural catastrophes A people-centred perspective on
affect lifes in Bangladesh. climate change, environmental stress,
Although early warning systems
Hasina (picture on the right)
and livelihood resilience in Bangladesh.
exist in many cases, social and
works in a clothing factory and Sustainability Science, 11(4), 1-16.
cultural barriers can prevent people
lives with two sons and her https://doi.org/
from escaping to safety in disaster
husband in the Bhola slum in 10.1007/s11625-016-0379-z
situations. (“It is the will of Allah Dhaka. The family of 4 shares a
whether or not the cyclone destroys living space of about 12 square
my house.”) meters. Life is hard, she says,
but Hasina is very happy to live in
in the Bhola community.
The Gibika photo-film series:
https://tinyurl.com/yd4ujmsc
IntoAction 8 / Gibika 10 IntoAction 8 / Gibika 11
After finishing the comprehensive first research phase, the Gibika project
implementation started in 2015. It was then developed hand in hand with
the research team. The latest work results clearly showed that numerous
adaptation measures are required to prepare the country for environmental
changes in the long run. In the short term, the foremost concern is to save
people’s lives. The village of Dalbanga South was paving the way in this
context. The existing flood and cyclone warning system was not working
and needed to be optimised in this community - in cooperation with the
people at risk.
Into action – Improving the cyclone and flood
warning system in Dalbanga South
A good warning system and Organisational gaps: Raising risk awareness
its constraints The local warning system had been in for disasters
place for decades, but was often not
Dalbanga South lies in the south of sufficiently reliable. The warning flags To achieve greater efficiency in
the country near Barisal. Cyclone Sidr, hoisted did not always correspond existing disaster risk management
which hit the area in 2007 cost several to the actual warning level. Incorrect processes, the village residents
thousand lives in Bangladesh. In interpretations could lead to many were to be made more aware of the
Dalbanga South, more than 70 people different warnings. This caused different kinds of risks and of the early
lost their lives, even though a warning confusion. What is right, and what is warning system. Regularly practising
system and a shelter were in place. In wrong? As a result, a lot of village the automatic processes, what has
2010, an additional, sturdy, protective residents, in particular older people, to be done in the case of an emergency
building, a cyclone shelter, was built stayed in their houses. Apart from and, above all, integrating children
on stone columns. People can escape the person officially in charge, the and young people, helped to do this.
to it when a flood warning is flagged. task force for the entire community We also intended to increase, not
At first, this sounded good, but numer- of Dalbanga South consisted of only the number of voluntary helpers,
ous challenges still remained: two further volunteers. These three but also the visibility and outreach
helpers had to coordinate over of the warning system. In addition to
Social restraints:
1,500 people – without constant an increased number of warning flags,
In an emergency situation, people
training, this was a Herculean task. which would be set up in frequently
have to make a number of very difficult
visited locations, the use of sirens was
decisions very quickly. Should they Infrastructure challenges: planned to strengthen the warning
run to the shelter, even if the family is The cyclone shelter only has room effect. Moreover, the warnings would
not all together? What has top priority for three hundred persons at most. be announced on the radio and notified
and what has to be saved? Can they But in contingency situations, as many in mobile phone text messages.
just abandon their house, belongings as 1,500 persons must be brought
and livestock? What will happen to the to safety. The school is still used as an
goats and hens for example? Many emergency shelter in such cases. In Enhancing volunteers’
individuals have built up a small addition, gender segregation has high engagement
existence. A heavy storm could rob cultural priority. However, the shelter
them of everything in one blow. For only has one room. Such social aspects One of the fundamental ideas of the
Around 500 people attended this reason, most of the villagers were must therefore also be integrated into Gibika action phase was to enhance the
the activities including theatre often reluctant to abandon their homes effectiveness of volunteer activities.
plays during a big disaster
infrastructure planning.
and animals – and decided not to go Volunteers can play a crucial role in
prevention day in Dalbanga
to the shelter. community-based disaster manage-
South. Experts explained the flag
cyclone warning system. Further,
ment. Enhancing volunteers’ engage-
training material and information ment and creating strong bonds within
brochures were distributed. the community play a key role in early
IntoAction 8 / Gibika 12 IntoAction 8 / Gibika 13
A question of sustainability students also finalized and performed Tropical storm Roanu rages
their street drama on ‘Cyclone early through Bangladesh
Since the Munich Re Foundation warning and preparation’. The perfor-
project’s funding expired in 2018, the mance was attended by more than 500
task of the last months was to trans- villagers, including local authorities. It On 18 May 2016, a low-pressure system
27
form the activities into a sustainable gained great attention and the head- in the North Indian Ocean turned into
development for the region. To reach master announced that the school will a cyclone and made its way north along
this goal, a number of measures again organize a street drama in the the east coast of India towards Bangla-
were taken. The successful commu- coming years. This will help to keep risk desh. The losses: roughly 20 kilometres
nity capacity building programme and awareness on the agenda in the daily of dams destroyed, several villages
people lost their lives
the courtyard learning sessions for lives of the local people. The passion flooded, and more than 50,000 houses
in storm Roanu in 2016
better disaster risk management were and excitement of the participating damaged. 27 people lost their lives –
continued and intensified with local pupils also helps. The project’s core most of them due to collapsing build-
stakeholders. All activities were activity – the courtyard learning sessions ings or falling trees. Around 1.3 million
monitored in a survey and evaluated – were held each month to give villagers persons were directly affected by the
in accompanying research projects the opportunity to participate in a cyclone’s impact. Approximately half a
by the United Nations University – long-term learning process on how to million people from the coastal regions
Institute for Environment and Human reduce risk in the event of a cyclone. In in Bangladesh were able to be brought
Security (UNU-EHS). The project was
100.000
total, the local capacity building process to safety. Bangladesh regularly has
scaled up to include five additional is at a very advanced stage, since all to cope with cyclones and their impact.
villages in the area and the team estab- activities can now be organized by locals Twenty-seven deaths are still too many,
lished strategies with local stake- independently. This will ensure a even though, in comparison to earlier
and more died in a
holders for long-term implementation. continuous resilience building process cyclones, this number can be deemed
storm of similar intensity
warning training and activities. This is Better preparation through In Mollarhora, West Golbunia, North for the future. This and the commitment in 1991 an improvement. Storm disasters in the
an important step towards anchoring mock drills Dalvanga, Majkhali and Latabaria, of the people in the communities should past claimed many more lives. Over
disaster prevention in the region, even the Gibika campaigners held ten
Mock drills are considered to be an contribute to build strong ownership. 300,000 people died in 1970; during a
after the Gibika project has ended. courtyard learning sessions. The
integral part of capacity building storm of similar intensity in 1991, more
team also started to recruit student To ensure that the process of local
for preparedness, as they can strongly than 100,000 people lost their lives.
groups to develop action plans in capacity building will continue in the
Street theatre for children influence behaviour before and during each of the villages. future, cooperations were developed Thanks to comprehensive disaster risk
an emergency. The Mim Abashon with the local NGO Jago Nari and reduction and preventative measures,
Children are a key part of resilient group therefore held mock drills. The BRAC, a regional disaster manage- the risk and vulnerability to natural
communities. Mim Abashon, a theatre drill started with a wedding scenario. Further community-based ment programme. These cooperations disasters could be mitigated and the
group and a Gibika partner, began All of a sudden volunteers issued capacity building should provide project monitoring as number of deaths drastically reduced.
to focus on the role of children in a warning and hoisted coloured flags well as further training for the Gibika The Gibika implementation had begun
disaster risk reduction. On the balcony to alarm the community. Experts then Building capacity on a community
campaigners. The activities look very at exactly the right time. According
of the local school, the theatre group monitored the ongoing activities in basis was one of the main goals of
promising, and we are convinced that to reports from our cooperation
performed a public play about the the village – some villagers did not the project. This included extensive
the project will take the next step partners on the ground, the Dalbanga
importance of disaster preparedness. follow the instructions properly and training for eight Gibika campaigners,
to become a sustainable resilience community was better prepared this
The main message of the little drama neglected warnings. According to who can now conduct the courtyard
structure – and hopefully serve as a time. The flags signalling a storm
was that everybody has to move to the individual behaviours during the learning sessions independently.
blueprint for other regions. strength of 1–6 were hoisted in time,
the cyclone shelters when a warning mock drills, groups received tailored Furthermore, the student group
people reacted better and in the end
is issued. Because not evacuating training afterwards. sessions were continued to develop
there were no major injuries.
was the main cause of the high implementation strategies for the
numbers of victims of powerful disaster action plan. They had mapped
cyclones in the past. these in an earlier session. The
Strengthening pupils’ skills in
disaster preparedness
In November 2016, students from
Dalbanga participated in school kit
preparation activities facilitated by
the Gibika team. The main objective
of these activities was to enrich their
knowledge of disaster preparedness
and strengthen their capacity to
take immediate decisions before and
during disasters. The pupils identified
their own risk situation in Dalbanga
and listed the risks according to their
School girls present a map showing impact. After that, they created a
the area of the community including risk map of Dalbanga, showing the
safety spots (upper picture). environment, infrastructure and risk
Risk prevention against natural
information. Pupils highlighted the
catastrophes and training have
become a standard part of school
priority of using the Dalbanga cyclone
lessons with the Gibika-project. shelter for evacuation.
IntoAction 8 / Gibika 14 IntoAction 8 / Gibika 15
“When the warning As part of the Gibika project, people
at risk in the south of Bangladesh
Why was that? Bakhi (28), a housewife from
Dalbanga South and her daughter.
flags are raised, we received emergency training from the
Shaun: Well, the whole story was a bit
crazy. My favourite scene was where a
The whole family took part in the
warning drills.
dig a deep hole” — beginning of 2016 until the end of 2017.
The local inhabitants – both male or
matchmaker was supposed to bring a
Interview with local female, young and old – attended
woman and a man together. But they
weren’t able to because of the cyclone,
inhabitants public workshops, discussions and
street theatre performances. There
and I couldn’t stop laughing.
they learned about flood warning But you did great, nobody noticed it
systems and what to do when an alert during the performance. In fact, it all
is issued. Shaun, a 15-year-old school looked terribly serious. We found it
pupil, played a leading role in a street really fascinating. We liked the story
theatre performance on the subject and the acting.
of flood warning. Bakhi, a 28-year-old
housewife, took part in the emergency
drills together with her family of four. Bakhi, why did you go to the training
courses?
Bakhi:Honestly, we didn’t know
Shaun, on the big theatre day, you
anything about flood or cyclone
played a boy involved in the flood
warnings. We really had no idea. So
warning drill who has to collect people
when the invitation came, my whole
and bring them to the shelters. What
family went. I have two children, but
was that like for you?
my grandparents, my brother-in-law
Shaun: Well, of course, it was a really and sisters-in-law all attended as well.
exciting time. At first, being picked as
an actor was a bit of a shock. But at the
same time, I was delighted. We
Shaun (15) was one of the young practised a lot because the perfor-
mance had to be really good. We took And what did you learn from the about evacuation. Everyone thought it
actors who appeared in the
risk prevention theatre play. He everything seriously, but we still had a drills? was great. Finally, we were having
was very proud of having been lot of laughs while practising. something different in lessons,
Bakhi:An incredible amount. Up to
chosen. “I am looking forward to although I must say I enjoy going to
now, river erosion, which is slowly
further activities around disaster school. And, of course, my perfor-
prevention” he said. eating its way into our village, has
mance in the street theatre was talked
been the main topic of discussion. We
about a lot (laughs).
are constantly asking ourselves when
some houses will have to be moved. So what happens next?
But we were paying less and less
Shaun: I hope they do it again because
attention to the threat from major
it brought the whole village together. It
cyclones. And it’s a long time since the
was a wonderful day.
cyclone shelter was built. Now we
know exactly what to do again. Bakhi: The training courses need to
continue. We had only one single drill
And what is that?
in all the years before. And not
Bakhi:When the third warning flag everyone took part, because many
goes up, my husband digs a hole one people didn’t know anything about
metre deep, and buries our papers them. Now, the people responsible
and valuables in it. I pack some fruit must be nominated and exact rules
and provisions and organise the should be set up. We have a lot of
family. Every second counts, because volunteers here in the village, and
the cyclone shelter can fill up very there is a strong sense of solidarity.
quickly, and the nearest one is three
Our partner institute, the ICCCAD in
kilometres away.
Dhaka, is already in negotiations
Shaun: We have school lessons in the with BRAC and with a local NGO,
shelter over here, and the rooms are Jago Nari. A lot of organisations are
used as shelters in an emergency. interested in getting involved.
They are built on metre-high stilts.
That is good news. Do you know
Bakhi:
Talking of school lessons, how did the how we felt after the drills? We felt a
other pupils react to the drills? lot more self-confident again.
Shaun: It was a really big deal. We
received little notebooks with instruc-
tions and pictures from Gibika, and
later we had to draw maps and talk
IntoAction 8 / Gibika 16 IntoAction 8 / Gibika 17
Reflections – Climate change is
forcing us to work together
In 2018, our five-year “research to In order to understand the effects that
action” project about livelihoods environmental changes have on
and climate change effects came to individuals, societies and ultimately
an end. Climate change is presenting humanity, the world has to move Can we predict
countries with different challenges on together. There is a great need for what to expect in
various levels. Bangladesh is greatly cooperation between countries, and the future?
affected by its impact in many ways. especially for support for those which
Since Bangladesh is a coastal country, are less developed as regards infra-
criss-crossed by the Meghna, Ganges structure, and who are therefore
and Brahmaputra rivers, confrontation highly vulnerable. Social scientists are
with the element water is inevitable. focusing increasingly on how to
The extraordinary amount of water in improve the capacity of those most at
the country due to the Himalayan river risk to adapt to changes. What can be
systems is constantly being multiplied done to enhance livelihood resilience
by rising sea levels. in areas most affected, and can we What role is played
The most dangerous times are during
predict what to expect in the future? by population growth
the monsoon seasons. This is when Besides environmental threats, what and urbanisation?
people and their livelihoods are really are the factors contributing to precar-
threatened. Risks inland are also ious life circumstances and causing The project team of UNU-EHS,
emerging, mainly as floods and severe social vulnerability? What role is ICCCAD and MRF on a field
river bank erosion take place. Unfortu- played by population growth and excursion with kids in Dalbanga
nately, monsoon patterns have already urbanisation? And, last but not least, South (upper picture).
changed. The weather phenomenon which areas should be chosen to The Gibika research helped tremen- A trader in Singpur is on his
sometimes arrives early and is often foster resilience? The answer to this dously to understand how people way to the market. The island
much stronger. Closer to the coast, last question is challenging because prioritise decision-making. When you is increasingly threatened
people are exposed to cyclones, storm financial resources are limited and ask people what they need for a good What can be done by heavy monsoon rains
(picture below).
surges, coastal inundation, soil salin- choices have to be made. and safe life, disaster protection is to enhance livelihood
isation and erosion. Another climate The Dalbanga community suffers often not mentioned, even though, the resilience?
change-related challenge occurred in from massive riverbed erosion. risk may be very high. But people need
the late 1990s in the form of severe, It is only a matter of time before to prepare. Unknown challenges arise,
recurrent droughts, mainly in the the water eats its way further into such as gender conflicts in provisional
north-west of the country. At stake are land and tears soil and houses emergency accommodation. Further-
into the floods.
families, all their belongings, liveli- more, our research also stresses the
hoods and land. Hence people’s identi- importance of the concept of trapped
ties. Self-determined actions are very populations. This refers to people who
limited when homes have to be want to move but are unable to escape
abandoned. from hazardous zones.
Having been so close to the people
of Bangladesh, Kees van der Geest
(UNU-EHS), Sonja Ayeb-Karlsson
(UNU-EHS), her colleague Istiakh
Ahmed from ICCCAD in Dhaka and
the rest of the project team see huge
potential, not only for our project
communities, but also for other
Which areas regions in Bangladesh and beyond,
should be chosen to to learn valuable lessons from the
Gibika project . This is no longer
foster resilience?
the challenge for one country.
Climate change is forcing all of us
to work together.
IntoAction 8 / Gibika 18 IntoAction 8 / Gibika 19
Project partners The Institute for Environment The International Centre for Munich Re Foundation (MRF)
and Human Security (EHS) Climate Change and Develop-
is a non-profit foundation
ment (ICCCAD)
is one of 15 research and training established in 2005 by the
centres and programmes of the is one of the leading research and Münchener Rückversicherungs
United Nations University (UNU) capacity building organisations gesellschaft Aktiengesellschaft
operating worldwide. UNU, with working on climate change and in München (“Munich Re”)
headquarters in Tokyo, connects development in Bangladesh. on the occasion of its 125th
an international community ICCCAD’s aim is to develop anniversary. People are ulti-
of scholars and forms a bridge a world-class institution that is mately at the core of what MRF’s
between the United Nations and closely related to local experi- work is all about. MRF’s task is to
the academic world. Its mission is ence, knowledge and research minimise the risks to which they
to contribute to efforts to resolve in one of the countries most are exposed. It clarifies issues
the pressing global problems affected by climate change. It’s and provides support, including
that are the concern of the mission is to gain and distribute in developing countries. MRF’s
United Nations and its member knowledge on climate change aim is to prepare people to cope
states. UNU’s current activities and, specifically adaptation to it, with risk and to improve their
regarding research and training thereby helping people to adapt living conditions in relation to:
are mainly focused on the to climate change with a focus water as a resource and risk
environment and sustainable on the global south. By focusing factor, population development,
development on the one hand, on such work in Bangladesh, poverty, urbanization and mega-
and peace and governance on ICCCAD allows international cities, disaster prevention,
the other. UNU disseminates participants to gain direct know- environmental and climate
the knowledge gained in its ledge of the issues in a real-world change. The activities of MRF
activities to the United Nations context. Through the expertise concentrate on four fields:
and its agencies, to scholars ofICCCAD and its local partners, knowledge accumulation and
and to the public, in order to international organisations will implementation, clarification
increase dynamic interactions be exposed to relevant and and sensitization, networking,
in the worldwide community grounded knowledge that can be direct help and support.
of learning and research. shared and transmitted around
UNU-EHS spearheaded the world for the benefit of other
the research. LDCs, and their governments,
donors and international NGOs.
Children of a slum area enjoy playing on a water pipe in the few open
fields outside Dhaka. The city is one of the fastest growing megacities
in the world.
Water is part of life in Bangladesh.
However, with increasing floods
due to climate change and new
monsoon patterns this house at
the river banks is at risk.Imprint
Munich Re Foundation Editorial team Picture credits
Königinstrasse 107 Munich Re Foundation: Thomas Loster (MRF)
80802 München, Germany Christian Barthelt Pages 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 19
Thomas Loster
Christian Barthelt (MRF)
Telephone +49 (89) 38 91-88 88 Editorial support Pages 4, 7, 10, 16, 17, 18
Fax +49 (89) 38 91-7 88 88
Imke Horten, David Wrathall (UNU-EHS)
info@munichre-foundation.org Tabea Klör, Pages 6, 7
www.munichre-foundation.org Oliver Klinkhammer,
Renate Kramer Sonja Ayeb-Karlsson (UNU-EHS)
Letters: 80791 München, Germany Pages 6, 7, 8
With text contributions from:
Sonja Ayeb-Karlsson (UNU-EHS) and Istiakh Ahmed (ICCCAD)
Istiakh Ahmed (ICCCAD). Pages 10, 12, 13, 17
© 2020 Design
Munich Re Foundation Keller Maurer Design, Munich
Contact Sources
Christian Barthelt Keller Maurer Design /
CBarthelt@munichre-foundation.org Munich Re Foundation, own blueprint
Page 3
Order number Keller Maurer Design /
302-09211 Munich Re Foundation,
own blueprint, data source:
Munich Re NatCatService 2020,
Page 4You can also read
